1. Agreement to Terms
By accessing or using holdpay ("the Platform", "we", "our", or "us"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use our services.
2. Description of Service
holdpay is a technology platform that facilitates conditional peer-to-peer payments between buyers and sellers. All payment processing is performed by Stripe, Inc. and its affiliates. Payments are authorized and held until transaction conditions are met. holdpay is not a bank, trustee, or licensed payment processor.
Key Features:
- Conditional fund holding during transactions (via Stripe)
- Multi-currency support (subject to Stripe availability)
- Dispute resolution assistance
- User ratings and reviews
By using holdpay, you acknowledge that Stripe and its affiliates process transactions on our behalf. Your payment information is handled according to Stripe's Privacy Policy.
3. Eligibility
You must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts
- Not be prohibited from using our services under applicable laws
- Provide accurate and complete registration information
4. User Accounts
4.1 Account Creation
You are responsible for:
- Maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
- All activities that occur under your account
- Notifying us immediately of any unauthorized access
4.2 Account Termination
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that:
- Violate these terms
- Engage in fraudulent activity
- Pose a security risk
- Remain inactive for extended periods
5. How Holds Work
5.1 Fund Control
When a hold is funded:
- Stripe captures the payment from the buyer
- Funds are held by Stripe (not holdpay) until release conditions are met
- Neither buyer nor seller can access funds during the hold period
- holdpay instructs Stripe when to release—we do not possess or control the funds directly
5.2 Release of Funds
Funds are released to the seller only when:
- The buyer confirms delivery/completion in the platform, OR
- Both parties mutually agree to release, OR
- A dispute is resolved in favor of the seller
Sellers cannot withdraw funds until one of these conditions is met. There are no exceptions.
5.3 Refund Conditions
Buyers may receive a refund when:
- Before seller accepts: Buyer cancels → automatic refund
- After seller accepts: Only through mutual agreement OR dispute resolved in buyer's favor
- Hold expires: If no action taken within the hold period, funds may be refunded per platform rules
Refunds are not guaranteed. Dispute outcomes depend on evidence provided.
5.4 User Obligations
Buyers must:
- Fund holds only for legitimate transactions
- Confirm delivery promptly when goods/services are received as agreed
- Not withhold confirmation unreasonably to pressure sellers
- Provide accurate evidence if filing a dispute
Sellers must:
- Deliver goods/services as described in the hold
- Communicate delivery status through the platform
- Provide proof of delivery if disputed
- Not accept holds they cannot fulfill
5.5 Agent-to-Agent Escrows
AI agents may create and manage escrows via our Agent API. The following terms apply:
- Agent Identity: Agents must be registered via ERC-8004 and provide a valid token ID
- Trust Tiers: Transaction limits are determined by the agent's on-chain reputation score (micro, standard, verified, validated, institutional)
- Operator Responsibility: The human or organization operating an agent is bound by these Terms and is responsible for all actions taken by their agent
- API Key Holders: Any party holding an API key agrees to these Terms and our Acceptable Use Policy
- Automated Disputes: Agent-initiated disputes follow the same resolution process as human-initiated disputes
6. Fees
Our platform charges the following fees:
- Transaction Fee: A percentage of the hold amount (disclosed before confirmation)
- Payment Processing: Stripe fees apply to card payments
- Currency Conversion: Standard Stripe conversion rates for multi-currency transactions
- Payout Fees: May apply depending on payout method and destination
All fees are clearly displayed before you confirm a transaction.
7. Prohibited Activities
You may not use our platform to:
- Engage in illegal activities or transactions
- Commit fraud or misrepresent information
- Sell prohibited items (weapons, drugs, stolen goods, etc.)
- Manipulate ratings or reviews
- Harass or threaten other users
- Circumvent our fee structure
- Use automated systems to access the platform
8. Disputes
8.1 Dispute Process
If a transaction issue arises:
- Either party marks the hold as "disputed"
- Both parties submit evidence (screenshots, tracking, messages, etc.)
- We review and may request additional information
- We decide whether to release funds to seller, refund buyer, or split
8.2 Evidence That Matters
- Delivery confirmation or tracking numbers
- Photos/videos of goods received
- Communication between parties (in-platform preferred)
- Third-party verification if applicable
We cannot verify claims without evidence. "He said, she said" disputes may not resolve in either party's favor.
8.3 What We Cannot Do
- We cannot verify quality, authenticity, or fitness for purpose
- We cannot enforce agreements made outside the platform
- We cannot recover funds already released to a seller
- We cannot investigate beyond information provided by users
8.4 Your Rights
Our dispute process does not limit your statutory rights. If you are unsatisfied with our decision, you may seek external dispute resolution or pursue legal remedies under Australian Consumer Law. The agreement between buyer and seller remains between you—we facilitate payment, not contract enforcement.
9. Intellectual Property
All content, features, and functionality of the platform are owned by holdpay and protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.
10. Disclaimers
THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND. WE DO NOT GUARANTEE:
- Uninterrupted or error-free service
- The quality, safety, or legality of items transacted
- The accuracy of user-provided information
- That users will fulfill their obligations
11. Limitation of Liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, holdpay SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR:
- Indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
- Loss of profits, data, or goodwill
- Damages exceeding the fees paid to us in the past 12 months
12. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold holdpay harmless from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your use of the platform or violation of these terms.
13. Governing Law
These terms are governed by the laws of Australia. Any disputes shall be resolved in the courts of New South Wales.
14. Changes to Terms
We may modify these terms with reasonable notice. Material changes will be communicated via email or platform notification at least 14 days before taking effect. Continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance. If you do not agree to the changes, you may close your account before the effective date.
15. Contact Information
For questions about these terms: